Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that the registration process for the POLHN 030 Introduction to Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation, a POLHN course for nurses, physicians, and any other health care worker responsible for surveillance or outbreak response on a local or national level is now open. We would like to invite you to send us your registration forms using the attached registration form by COB 30 June 2008. The course will run from 28 July 2008 to 05 September 2008 (Six weeks).

Kindly be informed of the following:

Criteria for Candidate selection:

Candidates should be fluent in English and have supervisor's approval to participate in the course.

Candidate registration form:
Each applicant is requested to submit to POLHN (polhn@wpro.who.int or fax (679) 323 4144) the following document:

1) Registration form which should be signed by the supervisor.

After the screening of applicants is completed, participants selected for the course will receive a confirmation closer to the course start date.

Here is an overview of what you will learn in each module:

Module 1 presents an introduction to public health surveillance in the Pacific region. The types of surveillance as well as examples of local surveillance systems such as the Reportable Disease Surveillance System in Palau will be covered. Students will be asked to prioritize diseases for surveillance based on criteria such as the number of cases, the economic impact, and the potential for causing an outbreak.

Module 2 presents an introduction to conducting surveillance. This module will cover the purposes for surveillance and how surveillance data can be used for public health action. Students will be asked to create case definitions for diseases to be used for surveillance and to evaluate the acute fever and rash component of the Pacific Hospital Based Active Surveillance (HBAS) System. This system monitors acute fever and rash to better identify cases of measles, dengue, and rubella.

Module 3 presents an introduction to outbreak investigation. The module begins with the first step of an outbreak investigation, verification of an outbreak. Students review case definitions and walk though an outbreak of typhoid fever in Nauru. Students will be asked to complete an investigation of an outbreak of dengue fever in a Pacific Island nation.

Module 4 presents additional information on outbreak investigation. Students will learn how to use some of the epidemiologist’s tools for outbreak investigation, including line listings, maps, and epidemiologic curves. Students will complete an investigation of an outbreak of an unknown disease after a community fish dinner on Vanuatu.

Module 5 presents a review of epidemiologic studies with examples from the Pacific. Students will be asked to complete two types of outbreak investigations, including the investigation of an outbreak at the South Pacific Mini Games and at a large family gathering.

Module 6 presents an overview of infectious diseases common to the Pacific region, including their signs and symptoms and recommended treatment. These include diarrheal illnesses such as cholera, rotavirus, norovirus, salmonellosis, campylobacterosis, and ciguatera; febrile illnesses such as typhoid, dengue, leptospirosis, measles and mumps; and respiratory diseases such as influenza and pneumonia. Examples of local outbreaks are included.

Time: Each module and the associated activity should require approximately 4 hours to be completed.

For further information, please find enclosed a flyer, outlining the course description.